[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6350040,"mediaKeyId","2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7","parentId",2235139,"title","Senate advances consolidated condominium loan vehicle; multiple condominium bills heard and several deferred","audioSeconds",1186,"startMs",1742000,"endMs",2928000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7&start=1742&end=2928","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350040/Hawaii/Senate-advances-consolidated-condominium-loan-vehicle-multiple-condominium-bills-heard-and-several-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350040-aa55787a2af9591a66582eeb1e8a81ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136757&Signature=ilFno902f3qctsHkTiklINcxH6QzSWzospvFPMTxK~ucrRzhw5pB0so02RooYiaFAMVLV5ZpT9sMLgWIrCaP9WWbrvziAztOpleiZIdS3yjiwzrehseB~vD8VY6Hv9hqZ5h~QGoirS7TDXx5qZjpf-CRZDp7qUpPkEt6IkQdw22eRkbuZ4BhjwtK2A94mbRSKbQwy7wsDH7XhWMsRcBnxLlaTaNVjt~1okFZ-nhB6KuzJ-S1QJMDE-0UGp4anEA0CHYwfLy5tS2innEpUIK4QNHMz6~LKKkUJ7koe3DB76f6~jgRTothVmYrtmSXqH7ous~3Yzlb8FIU-RCzaIwsJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection","date","2025-02-01T01:56:30Z","article","Senators on joint committees voted to pass SB 744 with amendments that insert the contents of SB 1601 — a more comprehensive condominium loan and credit enhancement framework administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) — and deferred several related condominium measures for further work.

At the Feb. 5, 2025, hearing, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered support and comments. HGIA testified that it has received roughly a dozen condominium applications or referrals and estimated the average project need could be in the $5.5 million range, with some projects as small as $2 million and others as large as $14 million. HGIA said current pipeline requests could total roughly $50 million when aggregated.

Committee leaders said they would delete SB 744’s original contents and insert SB 1601’s text, adopt the more comprehensive framework, and note an initial proposed appropriation of $30 million in the committee report. The committee adopted the amendment package and passed SB 744 with that insertion; the committee set the bill’s effective date as amended and advanced the measure by committee vote.

Committee members also heard multiple condominium governance bills in the same hearing series, including measures addressing alternative dispute resolution (SB 146), fines procedures (SB 147), reserve disclosures (SB 253), access to governing documents (SB 385), managing‑agent qualifications (SB 801), and insurance‑related incentives (SB 804). Several of those bills drew detailed oral testimony from condominium owners, the Community Associations Institute (CAI), realtors, and consumer advocates.

The committee deferred decision making on SB 1601 to allow more time to refine the program’s structure and to address stakeholder concerns about CPACE/CPACER‑style financing, the effect of any assessment or lien on individual condominium units, and whether loans would be attached to common areas or unit tax assessments. HGIA explained the proposed model would not place assessments on individual unit property taxes and said HGIA intends to underwrite and enroll loans, while differing stakeholders described past CPACE litigation and foreclosure concerns.

Committee chairs scheduled follow‑up decision sessions to allow the parties to work through the technical issues, and they will publish the committee report listing the adopted amendment that inserts SB 1601 into SB 744 and the committee’s note of an initial $30 million appropriation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CPN-PSM, CPN-EDT, CPN Public Hearing 02-05-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators passed an amended SB 744 to incorporate the broader framework of SB 1601 for a condominium loan program and noted an initial appropriation figure; the committee deferred further decision making on SB 1601 and several related condominium governance measures for additional work and outreach.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25726,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350044,"Committee defers SB 999 after mixed testimony on consumer fireworks ban and enforcement",549,1109000,1658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7&start=1109&end=1658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","/articles/6350044/Hawaii/Committee-defers-SB-999-after-mixed-testimony-on-consumer-fireworks-ban-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350044-3eb7fa2aa0ef49ecba3ef870c060fbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136757&Signature=f~qxBo4LK3KXlgLQjz2CPe4lGexN2ij7408DhwjaXlfS8eWjTDKKcPIyyM4bqyoR41tnwsXAfFZWYd6i3WlPqZt-a3dx2jVJ8u142CZOwDVIvm2h~U~IEj8qbujXK5BXRRPyX~w5OtojfVJkU9BN~TVQt3rGkDmfesWdFj7~XOc-cy3cyiOL-dyJ~p6rmHMjzqV6sWT2Sh-OY5~YGCyRm833-QWZQC6pn4urkixq9vghqfRbJbBNy82JFyLOkWu5C~Vn~lMcVDJSmY9yL2GHitXecC9q8ikOmL8VWxB-yk7E9IZpk~kEiy4-BRJQwqfEaRsLhg31lmJNJ4H8Y~Uk~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators deferred decision making on SB 999 after hearing mixed testimony on a proposal to repeal permissible uses of consumer fireworks, establish civil penalties for sale or use, and create a fireworks forfeiture special fund for community safety education.

Deputy Attorney General Brenton Inouye offered technical comments and suggested changes to explain why the program could not be implemented via standard general‑fund appropriations. Honolulu Police Department representatives said the department supports the measure. The Humane Society and several community members testified in support, while representatives of TNT Fireworks and other retailers warned that an outright ban could have unintended consequences and urged stronger enforcement and education instead of prohibition.

Tad Trout, a partner with TNT Fireworks, said prohibiting state‑approved consumer fireworks in Oahu would push sales to retailers on other islands and urged a combination of enforcement, safer product options, and education. “SB 999 is attempting to address the tragic accident that happened on Oahu this past New Year season. While noble, the reality of the results will have unintended consequences,” Trout said.

The committee announced it needed more time and deferred decision making for the Public Safety and Military Affairs committee to a later date and for Commerce and Consumer Protection to a separate date; the record shows both committees scheduled follow‑up sessions to continue consideration.

The transcript records both law enforcement support and industry opposition. Committee members said they would seek additional input and further technical edits before taking a final vote.","SB 999, which would prohibit consumer fireworks statewide and create penalties and a forfeiture fund, drew support from law enforcement and animal welfare groups and opposition from retail and fireworks industry representatives; the committee deferred decision making to allow more study and scheduling.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350051,"Lawmakers defer SB 782 after wide testimony on free prison phone services and victim‑notification funding",1306,334000,1640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7&start=334&end=1640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7/thumbnail_334000.jpg","/articles/6350051/Hawaii/Lawmakers-defer-SB-782-after-wide-testimony-on-free-prison-phone-services-and-victimnotification-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350051-cde48d410a88a58bd85bd5d535656c33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136757&Signature=SGhPmle2mDSoOpoIWMHXDXy9ZNjKpmtODcva0qL0HpP5XHJwzP9Qi7TIZQFeDDfDRr8~l0kgep5uwvFErWjxpuriwLzgnJuJ31OcW64v9DCbSBtWfob19m3kpUDIKhKejcLvITq4sR55vtabwapqLUBowW1u4uftX5TbpjBWp9BJvrKuveUIMS91iVLaNnbLjSXmHdIaEq0lVPyech2bC66gcgARZldUASvuLR1P7OsdTQqJgUahp-WIUjGIdzSyT-20iZoS2MUCvBWQFdBjdw4r2fJ~B0ul0ugbGS0~XfoVXsM6XAa2320VJ3KuuzAYggXkdyT-uCHA-cIx~qZmow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and its joint committees heard extensive testimony on SB 782, a measure that would require free voice communication services for persons confined in the state’s youth and adult correctional facilities and prohibit state agencies from deriving revenue from those services.

Witnesses for and against the bill described competing priorities: public defender advocates and civil‑liberties groups argued that free communications are vital to maintain family ties and assist reentry, while several victim‑service witnesses warned that the bill could imperil the SAVIN victim‑notification program’s funding stream.

Edward Aquino, deputy public defender, told the committee the Office of the Public Defender “strongly supports SB 782,” saying current telecommunication arrangements in state facilities impose steep costs on incarcerated people and their families and that free calls would align adult facilities with existing juvenile practices. “The high cost of jail and prison communication services is a significant economic drain for incarcerated persons and their families,” Aquino said.

Representatives of the Victim Compensation Commission and the SAVIN governance committee urged the committee to defer the bill so that agencies could confirm whether new Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit use of telephone revenue to fund the SAVIN program and to avoid creating a funding gap. Pam Ferguson Bray, executive director of the Victim Compensation Commission, said the SAVIN program’s special fund had provided stable long‑term funding and that eliminating the dedicated revenue source could weaken victim notification and safety systems.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill in part, saying the department currently provides calls at rates at or under federal caps and offers five minutes of free calls per week. Deputy Director Donna Munoz noted the department’s current per‑minute costs and said written testimony explained their position.

Advocates including the ACLU of Hawaii and Worth Rises urged passage and supported the bill’s appropriation language to replace commission revenue with state funding. The ACLU’s testimony argued free calls reduce recidivism and improve reentry outcomes.

After extended public testimony from victims’ advocates, defense attorneys, corrections officials and nonprofit groups, the committee deferred SB 782 for further consideration. Committee members recorded the recommendation to defer; the transcript shows the committee agreed to defer decision making so agencies could provide clarifying information on the funding and regulatory questions raised during testimony.","Lawmakers heard hours of testimony for and against SB 782, which would provide free voice communications for incarcerated people and prohibit agencies from profiting from communications; the committee deferred decision to gather more information, including on funding for the SAVIN victim‑notification program under new FCC rules.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350055,"Senate committee approves felony for unlicensed contractor work during emergencies; effective date moved to 2050",1347,271000,1618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7&start=271&end=1618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6350055/Hawaii/Senate-committee-approves-felony-for-unlicensed-contractor-work-during-emergencies-effective-date-moved-to-2050","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350055-be5ebf2f9fd3fd92b362060fba23353a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136757&Signature=Rs9IwThTeqDLh0u-wi5xGbCKEENvfDjJRuxIjpE8tvtosolFexLj8Et-2zGFm0~fwlS1krWDKJUcUmiBfV3FShhxFRTYn0S45RMqd2wg7kmP45SgZ3c~LrntzXPskDU2Y3NWGcm-vl~KUz8bcizLRLsAJmFRYA54X52XMQwTD1rT1zVAb9-6LvqJr3kW~tdbRuAtAQE0F46Zyw4SbeWjOGL4hK3Qj8cm1KWwHChHLTiWMN9-1cKPAdMhMd4OWQGzqnggIPBWVY85FfhLLHF4I0~vdoEtIYKBKLCUpcQNvPXffQ1ilamP3WszXryRmgreLaGzSDBQWEDr7vghu4J9bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted to pass SB 417, which would create a class B felony for performing contractor work without a license during — and for five years after — a declared national, state or local emergency or disaster in an affected political subdivision.

Committee members adopted technical, non‑substantive amendments and deferred the bill’s effective date to July 1, 2050, during the Feb. 5, 2025, decision session. The committee reported the measure adopted with the changes.

The Contractors License Board submitted comments at the hearing, and Tim Lyons of the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii testified in support and stood on his written testimony. No oral opposition was recorded during the committee’s in‑room testimony period.

Committee members said the amendments were technical and non‑substantive; the record shows the committee adopted the recommendation to pass with those amendments and moved the item forward by voice/roll call vote.

Because the bill creates a new felony classification limited to post‑disaster contexts, committee members and testifiers emphasized the statutory scope and whether the bill’s language would be narrowly tailored to contractors acting without a license during declared emergencies.

The committee’s adopted amendment package and the updated effective‑date language will be reflected in the committee report.","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted to pass SB 417 with non‑substantive amendments and set an effective date of July 1, 2050; testimony included support from the Contractors License Board and the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350060,"Senate committee approves SB 376 with technical amendments after tax-credit debate",1402,126000,1528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7&start=126&end=1528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235139-20b17de6ea11bac1552c28fa8f01ccb7/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6350060/Hawaii/Senate-committee-approves-SB-376-with-technical-amendments-after-tax-credit-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350060-303746377f445f7fcd662353b1f9db3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136757&Signature=jRBModjf7UZF~yT7DHUi4fBVzm62E7XTlPDdV7J7Cj5OOvRx4m12G3eW72hLAJwST7LKj7EpXH-8Duaam3saVbs8TzBMYh2Udaa2itXw5Y~V32Vzsy~0If5-l1i-jQfBCjh0uWm~rrye0OxtjeJj8hQweC49uA7CjNEo4TdXsw9xCCjfs8A5~PlFfVLWSoAQjFHu58YCnPlftQqdRFNGZJVoTZ9qWHWtOXQWxjVE1fwwmmykyxnoM4gXi6PrKPS3hHv9k5lxii~vpmYZOka0nKGhpdYHMJBRUOlxdnqcFwcBCP7bUeiihw8WgkoSLQdhNKEv1yWb-3DuFSw8thm9sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection passed SB 376, a measure creating a tax credit for certain home fire-safety improvements, after adopting technical amendments and language changes during its Feb. 5, 2025, joint hearing.

Committee members said they would amend the bill to make the credit nonrefundable and to require third‑party certification for claims; they also removed several recapture provisions and directed technical edits. The committee recorded its recommendation as “pass with amendments” and the measure was adopted in the committee vote.

The bill drew testimony urging tighter definitions and clearer administration. Tom Yamachika of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the concept might be better administered as a subsidy so the state could control total outlays and cap program payments, and he pressed the committee to clarify who may claim the credit. “If it’s the one who’s doing the claim, then why are you allowing trusts, estates, partnerships, and corporations to claim the [credit], because they don’t have residences,” Yamachika told members. He also asked whether a qualifying residence must be owner‑occupied, how long a claimant must have occupied it, and whether second homes would qualify.

Committee discussion and the adopted amendments focused on tightening the mechanism for certification and on removing portions of the bill’s recapture language. Committee officers also said they would make unspecified technical amendments to the effective date and other language as needed.

The measure’s written record shows committee members voting in favor during the Feb. 5 decision session. The roll call included multiple committee members voting “aye”; one member was listed as excused during the vote.

The committee’s action advances the bill to the next step with the amended language; the full text of the adopted amendments will appear in the committee report.

The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and other testifiers suggested further statutory clarifications if the credit moves forward as amended.","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted to pass SB 376 with amendments that change how a proposed home fire-safety tax credit would be claimed and certified; proponents and opponents urged tightening language on eligible claimants and residence definitions during testimony.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate advances consolidated condominium loan vehicle; multiple condominium bills heard and several deferred

Committee defers SB 999 after mixed testimony on consumer fireworks ban and enforcement

Lawmakers defer SB 782 after wide testimony on free prison phone services and victim‑notification funding

Senate committee approves felony for unlicensed contractor work during emergencies; effective date moved to 2050

Senate committee approves SB 376 with technical amendments after tax-credit debate